Unique designs of brick arched stairs for a private house

It is known that in ancient brick houses, temples, churches, ceiling vaults were built in the form of arches. The bricks in the arch work only in compression, so even a small structure is able to withstand not only its own weight, but also a significant load:

This thin brick element is loaded with a mass of approximately 500 kg / m2. There are practically no craftsmen who have experience in the construction of such structures. At most, stove-makers are used for flat vertical arches in fireplaces and stoves. This technology was replaced by reinforced concrete in the form of hollow, often ribbed or monolithic floors.

But in some countries there are still craftsmen who can repeat the ancient technology and not only in ceilings, but also in stair structures. I suggest looking at a number of examples and evaluating the pros and cons of the technology. First example:

Rough and fine finishing of a five-span brick arched staircase. Please note that not only the spans, but also the platforms are made of brick in the form of arches. Each arch is supported by an adjacent span and abuts against the walls. Moreover, the arches are made of brick, laid flat, and on top of the arch there are steps. The bricks in the steps work in compression and the entire structure has sufficient bearing capacity.

To fold such a ladder, props are not always (not in all places) needed. There is also no need for plywood formwork and reinforcement as for pouring concrete stairs. The maximum is reinforcing mesh. The cost of 1 m3 of brick and high-quality concrete of the M350-400 brand are comparable. But concrete for pouring must be either kneaded or delivered and quickly poured. We also need workers for this. The same brick staircase can be folded by one master. And even less time will be spent than for exposing the formwork, reinforcing and pouring the bud into a monolithic one.

Welded metal and wood construction time is not a bit faster. It will be possible to estimate the speed of construction of a brick staircase in the video at the end of the article.

The next example is a spiral brick staircase:

This is something fantastic. It is not clear how this structure holds and does not collapse even under its own weight. It is clear only one thing - each segment works in bending, and this is prevented by the steps, working in compression. Such a staircase is much lighter and cheaper than a concrete one. There is no thick reinforcement in it, as I said.

Another spiral staircase:

Also a unique design. Would be suitable for a cellar or descent into the basement. It can be seen that a layer of concrete was applied between the brick arch and the steps. Reinforcement mesh is laid in it. For greater reliability, one edge of the staircase rests on the brickwork. Another huge plus in the construction of such a structure is that no formwork and supports were used here.

Another object:

Rough and finish in the final. The base of the upper platform is also made in the form of an arch. The staircase is made of hollow bricks, lightweight and rests on timber joists. So no one dares to support a concrete staircase. It is necessary to fill the reinforced beam for this.

Some more examples of several photos in one slide:

I would like to know the opinion of the designers who can calculate such structures. Is the bearing capacity of brick stairs sufficient with all the other advantages? If this article will be read by such specialists - write your opinion in the comments.

These were examples of Spanish craftsmen. It is possible that the knowledge and experience of laying arched structures was passed on to them through the centuries and generations. A link to their examples and works here: http://www.escalerasdeboveda.es

The masonry process of the master can be seen in the video:

If you learn from such masters to build brick arched structures, learn from experience, then in your city you can occupy a niche of pre-fabricated brick stairs. Because I have never seen anything like it. But the carrying capacity must still be calculated.

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Photos taken from the site http://www.escalerasdeboveda.es

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